Macroscopic vs. Microscopic Energy

Model how macroscopic energy is a combination of particle motion and relative particle positions (HS-PS3-2).

Macroscopic Scale: Metal Block

20 °C

Macroscopic View: We feel thermal energy as temperature. Adding heat makes the object hotter.

Microscopic Scale: Particle Lattice

Microscopic View: Thermal energy is actually the kinetic energy (motion/vibration) of the particles. Higher temperature = faster particle motion.